Texans sign safety Marcus Gilchrist

Former New York Jets safety Marcus Gilchrist wasn’t a free agent for long. On Monday, Gilchrist agreed to terms with the Houston Texans and will join the league’s top-ranked defense.

Author:
Jody Smith, Texans Wire , KHOU

Published:
8:20 AM CDT August 1, 2017

Updated:
8:20 AM CDT August 1, 2017

Former New York Jets safety Marcus Gilchrist wasn’t a free agent for long. On Monday, Gilchrist agreed to terms with the Houston Texans and will join the league’s top-ranked defense.

Gilchrist, 28, was expected to make several visits, but evidentially liked what he saw with the Texans. A converted cornerback who made 55 tackles and caught two interceptions in 13 games with the Jets last season, Gilchrist will be a good fit in a talented Houston secondary that is missing two starters from 2016.

Originally a second-round pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 2011 NFL draft, Gilchrist spent the past two season in New York as a free safety for the Jets. After a torn patellar tendon ended his 2016 season, the Jets released Gilchrist in May.

Entering his seventh pro season, Gilchrist has displayed versatility by starting 69 of his 91 NFL games at all four positions in the secondary and also spent time as a nickel cornerback.

Because he’s still recovering from offseason surgery, it’s unknown where Gilchrist will fit into Houston’s secondary, but the ability to play multiple positions makes him a valuable addition for the Texans, who are looking to replace cornerback A.J. Bouye and strong safety Quintin Demps, who combined to start 24 games last season for Houston’s top-ranked defense.

Gilchrist attended Clemson from 2007-2010, ending his college career with 191 total tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack and an interception. He joins DeAndre Hopkins, D.J. Reader, Carlos Watkins and first-round rookie Deshaun Watson as former Tigers on the Texans 2017 roster.